The Buckman Direct Diversion 2A Solar Project ribbon cutting drew a nice size crowd at the Booster Station site the sunny afternoon of June 19th.
Chairman Maestas was pleased to see such a good turnout for this important celebration recognizing another landmark green effort at BDD. Chairman Maestas gave kudos to the staff, and the BDD Board for their insightful decision to continue to use renewable energy practices to provide clean surface drinking water for the residents of Santa Fe City and County at a substantial cost savings.
Councilor Maestas welcomes guests to the ribbon cutting
Rick Carpenter was the project manager for the solar project and coordinated efforts between Positive Energy Solar, NM Finance Authority, Bradbury Stamm Construction, and Smith Engineering in addition to a variety of subcontractors.
Rick welcomed the guests then introduced City Councilor and Chairman of the BDD Board, Joseph Maestas, who in turn acknowledged dignitaries for the State, City, County, and contractors involved on the project.
Speakers present were Senator Tom Udall’s representative Matt Miller, Senator Peter Wirth, NM Finance Authority’s Robert Colter, Positive Energy Solar’s Regina Wheeler, Jim Spinello of Smith Engineering and Cynthia Schultz of Bradbury Stamm Construction.
Senator Peter Wirth gave first hand testimony on the positive benefits of using solar to supplement facility energy cost-cutting measures and stated how he was impressed with his tour of the Buckman Direct Diversion plant’s advanced operations.
Matt Miller from Senator Tom Udall’s office read a letter from the Senator applauding our concerted efforts to continue our renewable energy efforts. He stated, “The BDD is setting an example for the entire country, as the two solar arrays continue to play such a large part in getting this most precious natural resource to everyone in Santa Fe County.” View Letter from Sen. Udall: Udall-letter-2014.pdf
The gate entrance to the solar panel array lent for a perfect spot for the ribbon cutting. The group then transitioned between the rows of solar panels for a brief description on how the high efficiency SunPower panels operate.
Solar panel ribbon cutting June 2014
Photographers from both the Santa Fe New Mexican and Albuquerque Journal were on site to document the event and an article appeared in the New Mexican’s front page of the Local News section and on the Green Fire Times newspaper.
This new second solar array is 1.5 MW, and with the first 1.0 MW solar array, the 2.5 MW combination will power 41 percent of the energy necessary to push Rio Grande surface water 11 miles uphill for treatment at BDD and distribution to our customers.
The energy savings will reduce the BDD’s annual bill up to an additional $206,000 per year, bringing the total potential annual energy saving to $400,000.
There are 4,608 high efficiency solar panels located at the new installation. The new system takes up 30 percent less land, minimizing the footprint of the site.
Special thanks to the BDD staff and everyone involved in the solar project installation.
The Buckman Direct Diversion 2A Solar Field
BDD Plant Solar Facts
2.5 total MW (1.0 MW and 1.5 MW arrays)
41 percent average total energy
8,688 total high efficiency solar panels
$400,000 potential annual energy bill savings
15,000,000 gallons of water saved in 25 years
26,000 tons of Co2 saved in 25 years
2.5 MW produces approximately enough energy to power 2500 homes annually
13 total solar acres
Rick Carpenter speaks to Matt Miller and Henry Baer, Office of Sen. Udall
John Brown from Positive Energy Solar explains how the solar panels works
Gary Durrant, BDD Chief Operator and Cisco Romero BDD Planner
BDD Operator Jesus Salayandia, Rick Carpenter, Solar Project Manager, give out cold BDD water bottles at the ribbon cutting event
Senator Peter Wirth recognizes the BDD Board’s efforts